Former President George H.W. Bush dies at 94, leaves behind legacy of service

By National Desk Staff / WCVB

Saturday

Dec 1, 2018 at 4:14 PMDec 1, 2018 at 4:26 PM

George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, has died at the age of 94.

The World War II hero died late Friday night at his Houston home, family spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear Dad has died," President George W. Bush said in a statement. "George H. W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. The entire Bush family is deeply grateful for 41’s life and love, for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for Dad, and for the condolences of our friends and fellow citizens."

"One of the noblest features is when you're with him. You're not sitting with the president. You're sitting with a friend," longtime friend Tom Bradbury said.

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Massachusetts to Prescott Sheldon Bush and Dorothy (Walker) Bush. His family moved to Connecticut when he was a baby.

On his 18th birthday, George H.W. Bush enlisted in the military.

He was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings and eventually flew 58 combat missions during World War II.

Bush was shot down and rescued at sea by the submarine Finback.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery.

After the war, Bush graduated from Yale and married Barbara Pierce. Barbara, his wife of more than 70 years, died on April 17, 2018.

He began his career in the Texas oil industry but his attention quickly turned to public service and politics.

Bush ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate but would soon take several high-profile jobs in the public sector.

Bush served as the ambassador to the United Nations, was chairman of the Republican National Committee and served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

It was a time of great uncertainty in a changing world. The Cold War had ended and the Berlin Wall fell.

Bush sent troops to Panama to overthrow Manuel Noriega, but one of the most defining moments his presidency came when Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.

Bush ordered 425,000 troops into the Persian Gulf, in what would be called Desert Storm. American-led forces made quick work of the Iraqi army, forcing it from Kuwait and allowing Bush to declare victory.

During the Bush presidency, Waterville native and Democrat George Mitchell served as Senate Majority Leader.

"We agreed on many things. We disagreed on others, but it was through cooperation that we were able to enact some very good laws," Mitchell said.

Although Bush triumphed in several foreign policy situations, domestic issues complicated his re-election bid in 1992, including the famous "no new taxes" pledge that Bush ended up not being able to follow through on.

He lost the election to Democrat and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton.

"I think it was unfortunate that he lost coming off the great victory in the Gulf, as such, and then faced defeat the next year. Not quite the same fate that Churchill had, but to be rewarded in that fashion is unfortunate," former Maine U.S. Sen. William Cohen said.

After leaving office, Bush focused his time on charity work by raising hundreds of millions of dollars for organizations across the country.

He saw his son, George W. Bush, elected to two terms as president. It was at his son's request that the elder Bush teamed up with former President Clinton to help raise money for relief efforts following the tsunami in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina and the massive earthquake in Haiti.

Bush never lost his zest for life post-presidency. He skydived on his 85th and 90th birthdays.

"What's remarkable, too, is the reason for doing it. To show that life didn't end when you were 85 or 90, that you can do remarkable things throughout your life," Bradbury said.

Bush's life sounds more like the makings of a Hollywood story.

"It would be a story that would be hard to believe, and yet, it's all true, and he did every bit of it with grace and charm and efficiency," Bradbury said.